Shooting Star Read Online Free PDF Page A

The physical release of a round of raw sex was all he needed to remind himself he was still human. Maybe Brac was the one person who could kick-start his libido.
    Jessup was under no illusion that Brac would stick around for more than a few weeks, nor did he want him to. Like everything else in his life, it was best not to get attached. He’d lived by that belief his entire life. Despite his sizeable bank account, he’d never considered buying a house. Renting was the way to go as far as he was concerned. When things didn’t work out, he moved on, simple as that. Messing around with Brac would be even easier because it was Brac who’d be leaving town. He grinned at the bonus, because although things in Cattle Valley weren’t perfect, they were as near to it as Jessup had ever known.
    After turning off the water, Jessup grabbed two bottles of beer and rejoined Brac on the deck.
    “This is really good,” Brac said, cutting another piece of meat.
    Jessup was thankful Brac wasn’t planning to dwell on their earlier contact. Although he hoped to work his way up to more than simple hand-holding, Jessup refused to be the kind of pussy who talked about his thoughts and feelings. Those were his and as long as he kept them to himself no one could use them against him. He glanced up from his plate long enough to nod in thanks before starting again on his cold dinner.
    One thing prison life had taught him was to be grateful for food, no matter what it tasted like. In Syria he’d been given only enough to survive. The mouldy bread and greasy broth he’d been served once a day had quickly helped him come to the conclusion that as long as your belly was full it didn’t matter how it got that way.
    “You play cards?” Brac asked.
    “Not for years. I prefer dice.”
    “Like craps?” Brac took a sip of his beer and sat back in his chair, food seemingly forgotten.
    “No, just games.”
    “What’s your favourite?”
    “Steal Your Thunder.” In the past, Jessup had spent hours sitting at a table with other soldiers while on missions. Dice were easily carried and didn’t succumb to the elements.
    “Would you teach me how to play?”
    “Maybe after you finish the dishes.” Jessup couldn’t help but grin. Brac hadn’t done the dishes since they’d stepped foot on the EZ Does It ranch.
    “You’ve got yourself a deal.” Brac shifted in his chair. “You know I would’ve done them before but you always jump up as soon as you’ve shovelled the last bite of food in your mouth and rush to the kitchen.”
    “I don’t linger,” Jessup mumbled, still eating. “But I’ll take care of the cooking from now on if you’ll do the clean-up.”
    “Or we could do both together,” Brac offered. “I’ve always found it relaxing to cook with someone.”
    “I’m used to doing it by myself,” Jessup countered.
    “Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me.” Brac stood and picked up his plate. “You finished with the salad?”
    Jessup nodded, and Brac took the bowl away. Alone on the deck, Jessup sighed. There seemed to be a war going on inside him, and he still wasn’t sure which side would win. What was it about Brac that made him want to reach out one moment and run like hell the next?

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    “What is that?” Brac asked.
    “A cane pole. Don’t you know anything about fishing?” Jessup sat under the tree beside Brac and pulled out a small container of worms. He’d had to go all the way to Sheridan for the pole, but he was tired of Brac bugging him about going fishing.
    “Yeah, but I thought only eight-year-olds used those damn things.” Brac shook his head and turned up his nose as he watched Jessup thread a big juicy worm onto his hook. “That’s disgusting.”
    “Keep talkin ’. We’ll see who catches dinner tonight,” Jessup said. He met Brac’s gaze and grinned. He was beginning to get more and more comfortable around the handsome man. Too bad their time was quickly coming to an end. “I